A look at several newer studies reveals mounting evidence that, in spite of the above cuisines’ domination of America’s collective palate, other ethnic foods are quickly rising in popularity, with some suggestions that the Big Three are losing ground, albeit at a glacial pace. A report prepared by Sloan Trends & Solutions last year showed that Asian cuisine led the list of U.S. sales trend gainers in 2003, its 22% increase beating out Mexican (12.5%) and Italian (11%) by healthy margins. The study stressed that this Asian cuisine was not just Chinese, but a combination of Korean, Japanese, and other Asian niches. In addition, the report suggested that Mediterranean foods are “moving mainstream.”
Other data show that tomorrow’s most popular ethnics might be led by the choices of the so-called tween market-30 million kids between the ages of 8-14. A 2003 survey of 400 young consumers by San Francisco-based Wharf Research and the Center for Culinary Development showed that 12% of them rated Japanese as their favorite ethnic cuisine, ahead of Italian (10%). It also found that Indian cuisine has “emerging popularity” with tweens. In fact, 16% of them are aware of samosas-Indian pastries filled with meat and potatoes. Half of those said they already enjoy eating that Indian street food.
http://www.restaurantbiz.com/restaurantbusiness/magazine/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000508235
Leave a Reply